Foldable bed for trailers and the like



Nov. 17, 1970 w; T. MORRISON 3,540,

FOLDABLE BED FOR TRAILERS AND THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1968 INVIIN'IUR, W41 M 62 7%026/104/ United States US. Cl. 5-141 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus, for folding a bed from a vertical to a horizontal position and back to the vertical position, having a hinge member, in the shape of a triangular plate, pivotally attached at an upper corner to a side of the bed and pivotally attached at a lower corner to a floor or base surface. The hinge member has an arcuate slot running from between the two pivot points to its third corner. A stationary member is disposed adjacent the hinge member and carries a pivot pin which enters the arcuate slot and guides movement of the hinge member as it is pivoted about its base pivot point, the pivot pin contacting the end of the arcuate slot so as to terminate pivotal movement of the hinge member. The bed is initially moved from an upright position by pivoting of the hinge member until the pivot pin of the stationary member engages the end of the arcuate slot, the bed being pivoted about the upper pivot point of the hinge member to a horizontal position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to devices for the pivotal movement of longitudinal members and more particularly concerns apparatus for folding a bed against a wall.

Folding beds have long been employed in hotels, motels, and homes for increasing the living space of a room which is also utilized as a sleeping area. In view of the considerable space occupied by beds, the obvious advantage of having a bed which can be folded into a wall or a cabinet during the day has provided considerable impetus for suitable bed folding apparatus. Most folding beds have utilized simple leverage mechanisms whereby the beds are moved from a horizontal, in-use position to a vertical position along a wall or in a cabinet.

Conventional apparatus for folding beds from a horizontal to a vertical position has failed to minimize the space required for the bed when in both its extended and retracted positions. That is, such beds are usually positioned at a considerable distance from a wall, such that the bottom of the bed will not bump against the wall during pivotal movement of the bed into a horizontal position. Similarly, additional space is required by such apparatus as a result of the usual extension of the bed from the area occupied by the bed in its upright position. As a result, presently available folding beds cannot be employed to provide maximum living space in a room after the beds have been folded up.

This deficiency is especially significant in the field of house trailers and the like where space is at a minimum. While many house trailers will sleep from four to six people, the available space after foldup of the beds is not found to comfortably accommodate this same number of people. The bed or beds simply cannot be folded into a space small enough to offer remaining area of sufficient size to accommodate the number of chairs, tables, and the like, required for the users of the trailer.

Bed folding apparatus has been devised for minimizing the space occupied by a bed in its closed position, such as the apparatus described in US. Patent No. 314,032, which utilizes hinge arms and a slotted cabinet atent 3,549,066 Patented Nov. 17, 1970 for allowing a bed to be closely folded against a Wall. This device, as well as other conventional folding mechanisms, has not gained wide acceptance, primarily because of the difiiculties arising in its use.

In certain instances, davenport beds are utilized to avoid this problem, such units providing beds during the evening and being adaptable for use as sofas or davenports during the day. Davenport beds and the like, however, are not a readily acceptable substitute for fold ing beds because of their relative lack of comfort, since they usually have seams running the length of the bed and are otherwise of a construction lacking in comfortable bed support. As a result, most house trailers utilize folding beds, which in addition to requiring substantial space, as noted above, are frequently of awkward design and can be folded up and opened only with great difliculty. Consequently, there is presently available no folding bed or apparatus for folding a bed which can be simply utilized by one person and which is capable of folding a bed into a cabinet or against a wall so as to minimize the area required for the bed in either position.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a hinge member having a lower pivot point secured to the floor of the bedroom and being pivotally attached to the bed on a side thereof at an upper end of the hinge member can be utilized for folding a bed from a vertical position substantially against a wall into a horizontal position, in which the end of the bed is against the wall, and back to the vertical position. A stationary upright is disposed adjacent the hinge member and carries a pivot pin extending into an arcuate slot disposed between the pivot points of the hinge member. In folding the bed from the vertical position, the bed and hinge member pivot on the lower pivot point of the hinge member until the pivot pin of the stationary upright, which guides the hinge member during its pivotal movement, contacts the end of the arcuate slot. The bed is pivoted about the upper pivot point of the hinge member to a horizontal position, after which legs can be positioned beneath the bed for support thereof.

The hinge member preferably is a triangular plate having its lower pivot point at one corner and its upper pivot point, at which it is pivotally secured to the bed, at an adjacent corner, such that when the bed is in a vertical position the remaining corner is positioned away from the direction of pivotal movement. The arcuate slot of the hinge member extends from approximately the mid-point of the vertically aligned side of the triangular plate to the opposite corner, the slot defining an arc of a circle having the lower pivot point as its center of curvature. Preferably, the stationary upright member is also of triangular shape, ordinarily being of right triangular construction with its base along the floor and its vertical side coextensive with the vertical axis of the hinge member, the pivot pin of the stationary upright being secured to its upper corner.

The hinge member can be pivotally secured at its lower pivot point to the base of the stationary upright or directly to the floor, or to any suitable stationary member. Similarly, the pivot pin can be disposed on the stationary upright or on a side wall, or in any manner such that it will guide the pivotal movement of the hinge member.

The hinge member and stationary upright are ordinarily disposed within a cabinet or similar wall enclosure into which the folding bed is to be retracted. The cabinet or enclosure can be of significantly smaller volume due to the utilization of the pivoting mechanism of this invention. That is, the hinge member allows pivotal movement of a bed from against the wall to a horizontal q) position wherein the end of the bed is very close to the back of the wall. No space is required between the bed and the back of the cabinet when the bed is folded up after use. As a result, the amount of space for use during the day, after the bed has been retracted, is substantially greater than would be obtained utilizing conventional bed folding apparatus.

Additionally, the hinge member provides leverage and supporting action during the initial pivotal movement of the bed from its vertical position. That is, since the bed is originally in a vertical position with its bottom adjacent the floor of the cabinet, force must be exerted not only to pivot the bed into a horizontal position but to move the bed into a horizontal position at a level above the floor. The hinge member has its upper pivot point secured to the side of the bed at a distance from the bottom of the bed such that after completion of the pivotal movement of the hinge member the bed will be at a desired height above the floor. It is then only necessary to pivot the bed about the upper pivot point of the hinge member, an operation requiring minimal force, since the bed is already at its required height.

The base of the bed can be provided with legs which can be folded into supporting position after the bed has been folded to its open position. A folding shelf or the like can also be disposed above the bed adjacent the cabinet or below the bed to offer further support at the center of the bed. The area under the bed can thus be utilized for storing chairs which are to be used when the bed is in its folded-up position. A web strap or similar fastening means is ordinarily provided on the base of the bed for securing the bed to the floor so as to maintain it in an open position.

The unique feature of this invention is the utilization of a hinge member which allows the bed to be pivoted from a vertical position about a lower pivot point, such that the bed can be moved from a closed position against a Wall or the like, and rotated about an upper point disposed at a side edge thereof such that the bed can be easily pivoted to a horizontal position at a given distance above the floor. Conventional folding beds do not permit beds to be folded closely against a wall. Nor do they allow a bed to be folded into an in-use position without being substantially extended from the wall.

The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 314,032 does allow the folding of a bed into a position substantially against a vertical wall. Such apparatus, however, requires the use of two slotted metallic links or hinges which are pivotally connected to either side of the bed and which support the bed and provide leverage for pivoting the bed into a position at a distance above the floor. Although the patented apparatus utilizes rollers which track in guide slots, it is clear that such rollers are attached to the bed itself and that the rollers tracking therein only move upward in a following action as the bed is pivoted out on the two supporting hinges attached to the bed frame. The arcuate slot of the hinge member of the subject invention not only serves to guide initial pivotal movement of the bed but also terminates pivotal movement of the hinge member prior to the final positioning of the bed. At such terminal pivotal point, the hinge member provides a leveraging and supporting action for the final pivotal movement of the bed about the upper pivot point.

The folding apparatus of this invention is particularly valuable for utilization in house trailers and the like wherein sleeping means are required and wherein it is desirable to have as much space available in the sleeping area after use of such sleeping means. Such apparatus can be utilized, however, in combination with any bed for pivotal movement of the bed from a horizontal to a vertical position, whether for purposes of conservation of space or where it is desirable to provide leverage and supporting action for the pivoting operation. Additionally, although the apparatus has been described in connection with folding beds, the folding apparatus can be employed to eifect the pivotal movement of any longitudinal member, such as benches, sofas, cots, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of a bed folding apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the bed folding apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates apparatus of this invention for folding a bed into a cabinet 2 located against a wall 4. The bed 6, shown in solid lines in its folded-up position within the cabinet consists of an innerspring mattress 8, aluminum base 10, and plywood supporting frame 12. Web straps or similar fasteners (not shown) are used to hold the mattress, with bed clothes, against the plywood supporting frame, when the bed is in the folded-up position. A locking device (not shown) locks the bed in the folded-up position. It is noted that there is minimum space between the bed and the rear wall of the cabinet, thus allowing the use of a cabinet of substantially less width than those employed using conventional bed folding apparatus.

A stationary upright 14 is secured to the floor of the cabinet by means of screws 16, an upper corner of the triangularly shaped stationary member being disposed along the vertical axis of the base of the folded bed. A hinge member 18, having a triangular shape, is disposed between the base of the bed and the stationary upright 14, being pivotally secured to the stationary member at a lower pivot point 20, and being pivotally secured to the bed at an upper pivot point 21. The hinge member has an arcuate slot 22 running from approximately a mid-point of the vertical side of the hinge member to the opposite corner thereof, the arcuate slot engaging with a pivot pin 24 secured to the upper corner of the stationary upright 14.

In folding the bed from the vertical position, the bed is pivoted away from the wall on the hinge member 18, which pivots at its lower pivot point 20. During such pivotal movement of the hinge member, the pivot pin 24 of the stationary upright 14 guides the movement of the hinge member to insure steady movement and to permit easy cotnrol of the bed during such movement. The pivotal movement of the hinge member continues until the end of the arcuate slot contacts the pivot pin 24, at which point the hinge member is in the position as shown by the dotted lines. Throughout such pivotal movement the hinge member provides leverage action such that lifting action of the bottom end of the bed is not required to position the bed at a given distance above the floor. That is the upper pivot point 21 of the hinge member is at such a distance along the edge of the bed such that when the hinge member 18 is pivoted to its dotted line position the bed will be at its proper height. The bed is then pivoted about the upper pivot point 21 of the hinge member to the position as shown by the dotted lines. It is noted that in such position the end of the bed is very close to the wall 4, thereby avoiding the excessive extension of the bed as resulting from use of conventional bed folding apparatus.

Folding legs 27 can be provided on the base 10 of the bed and folded into position for supporting the bed when in its sleeping position. A web strap 11 prevents pivoting of the bed toward a vertical position during use. A folding shelf 26 provides additional support for the bed. It is noted that the hinge member, in its dotted line position, also functions in supporting the bed during use, thereby providing a feature of built-in support for the bed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hinge member 18 and stationary upright 14. The simplicity of design and construction of such two members makes possible inexpensiveconstruction of the bed folding appratus and insures trouble-free operation thereof. It is also noted that the bed folding apparatus is of compact size and can be easily disposed between a bed and a side wall, leaving just enough space between the bed and the wall for allowing the bed to be easily made. The hinge member 18 is secured at its upper pivot point 21 to the base of the bed on a plate 28 by means of a pin 30 secured thereto by a cotter key 32. The pivot pin 24 of the stationary upright 14 is a bolt 34 extending through the arcuate slot 22 and having a nut 36 secured on the other side thereof to hold the members together during pivotal movement of the hinge member. The base pivot point of the hinge member consists of a bolt 38 and nut 40 securing the bottom corner of the hinge member to the base of the stationary upright.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the pivotal movement of a longitudinal member between horizontal and vertical position comprising:

(a) a stationary upright disposed adjacent the longitudinal member;

(b) a hinge member pivotally secured at its upper end to the longitudinal member and pivotally secured at its lower end to a stationary pivot point, the hinge member having an arcuate slot located between the upper and lower pivot points, which slot defines an are having the lower pivot point as its center of curvature; and

(c) a pivot pin secured to the stationary upright and disposed in the arcuate slot such that when the hinge member is pivoted on its lower pivot point its movement is guided by the pivot pin in the slot and terminated when the pivot pin contacts the end of the arcuate slot,

thereby permitting the longitudinal member to be initially pivoted from a vertical position be means of the pivotal movement of the hinge member to a terminated position with its upper pivot point above the level of the lower pivot point, the longitudinal member being pivotable about the upper pivot point of the hinge member to a horizontal position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hinge member is a triangular plate disposed with one side thereof on the vertical axis of the longitudinal member, with the upper pivot point and the lower pivot point at the upper and lower corners of the triangular plate, and wherein the arcuate slot extends from a point between the two pivot points towards the third corner of the triangle, the third corner being disposed away from the direction of pivotal movement of the hinge member.

3. The combination with a bed, apparatus for pivoting the bed from a vertical to a horizontal position, whereby the amount of space occupied by the bed in either posi tion is minimized, and whereby the bed can be easily returned to its vertical position comprising:

(a) a stationary upright disposed adjacent the bed;

(b) a hinge member pivotally secured at its upper end to the bed and pivotally secured at its lower end to a stationary pivot point, the hinge member ,having an arcuate slot located between the upper and lower pivot points, which slot defines an arc having the lower pivot point as its center of curvature; and

(c) a pivot pin secured to the stationary upright and disposed within the arcuate slot so as to guide pivotal movement of the hinge member on its lower pivot point and so as to terminate such pivotal movement by contact of the pivot pin with the end of the arcuate slot, the bed being pivotable on the upper pivot point of the hinge member to a horizontal position after the pivot pin contacts the end of the arcuate slot.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the lower pivot point of the hinge member is disposed on the stationary upright.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the hinge member is a triangular plate having a side disposed on the vertical axis of the bed 'with the upper and lower pivot points at opposite corners, and wherein the arcuate slot extends from a point between such pivot points toward the third corner, such corner being disposed away from the direction of pivotal movement of the hinge member.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the stationary member is a right triangular plate having its base on the surface over which the bed is to be positioned, with its vertical side disposed adjacent the vertical axis of the hinge member.

7. The combination of claim 3 wherein the hinge member is disposed between the bed and the stationary upright.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 314,032 3/1885 Laskey 5141 991,069 5/1911 Justh 526 1,l4.0,3 68 5/1915 Fischofi 526 X 2,671,230 3/1954 Potter 5-141 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 5--2, 143 

